HURRICANE Irma is hurtling its way towards Florida at speed and is expected to reach Category 5 after battering Cuba and the Bahamas, according to the latest update from the NOAA National Hurricane Center (NHC).

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“Additional Watches and Warnings may be required for portions of the coasts of Georgia and South Carolina, as well as portions of the Florida Gulf Coast later today.

Here is a breakdown of the update.

NHC update: The latest location

At 5am EDT, the centre of Hurricane Irma was located near latitude 22.5 North, longitude 78.8 West. Irma is moving toward the west-northwest near 12 mph (19 km/h). A turn toward the northwest is expected by late today, with a turn toward the north-northwest expected tonight or on Sunday.

Hurricane Irma: Florida evacuations and preparations

Sat, September 9, 2017

Florida residents are evacuating after a state of emergency was declared ahead of Hurricane Irma's expected arrival

People crowd Fort Lauderdale International Airport as evacuation is underway for the arrival of Hurricane Irma

PA

Irma made its way across Cuba as a Category 4 but is expected to rise to 5

On the forecast track, the centre of Irma will move near the north coast of Cuba today, near the Florida Keys Sunday morning, and then near the southwest coast of Florida Sunday afternoon.

NHC update: Latest Wind speed

Maximum sustained winds are now at 155mph (250 km/h) with higher gusts.

Irma is a category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Some fluctuations in intensity are likely during the next day or two, but Irma is expected to remain a powerful hurricane as it approaches Florida.

REUTERS

A Florida resident prepares for the storm to hit

NHC update: The threat to the Caribbean

The NHC said storm surges, wind and the risk of rising water moving inland from the coastline were all risking lives.

The alert said: "Storm Surge Warning means there is a danger of life-threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline, during the next 36 hours in the indicated locations.

"This is a life-threatening situation. Persons located within these areas should take all necessary actions to protect life and property from rising water and the potential for other dangerous conditions. Promptly follow evacuation and other instructions from local officials."